Friends Of The Housatonic River

If the concern with this property (canal) is really about the fish ladder and not about money in some companies pocket (read between those words and come to your own speculation), The Friends of the Housatonic River (FOTHR.org) can offer very simple potential solution to all of this.

Without a doubt there should be a fish ladder but it does not need to be $2 to 2.5 million dollars, we think it can be done for a very small faction of that amount.

We believe we know and understand the workings much more about our river and what it needs than the DEP. (After all, we stopped DEP from allowing dumping up river with contaminated soil from down river). Having what we propose below will work as good as or better than a multi-million plan and provide a well rounded resource too.

Our plan would allow the historical value of this area to be preserved and updated in that same cost. Our plan would also increase the popularity of this area due to the fact everyone would be able to view this fish ladder, appreciate nature and history all in one package.

With a simple alteration to the EXISTING HISTORICAL LOCK, a fish ladder http://www.lakeoroville.water.ca.gov/about/stats/images/fish-ladder.jpg can be built to give FISH access to the canal and ultimately easy access through the dam. This is not rocket science like some others make it sound, fish are not the picky.

Imagine the fishing that this ladder would allow in the canal too?

We see this area having VERY HIGH wildlife potential right in our own downtown!

Lets stick to what the point really is. Read more

There is good information regarding the Shelton canal and the upcoming historic river walk (current public access) that we stand to lose. Please look over this link and voice your opinions!

Many more photos

From an article in the Connecticut Post . By KATE RAMUNNI

The public area around the Shelton Canal Co. property has a new addition -- a towering chain-link fence that blocks access to the popular fishing spot.

The barricade has taken city officials by surprise. They say they didn't get enough notice that the area would be restricted to the public, and therefore had no say in the process that led to its closure.

The Shelton Canal is owned by McCallum Enterprise, which operates the power plant there. Last year, McCallum officials announced plans to fill in the canal and sell the property for development, so it can build a $2 million fish ladder the company is required to install by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The Derby-Shelton dam, also known as the Ousatonic Dam, was completed in 1870 to provide water power to factories in downtown Shelton and Derby. The canals directed water behind the dam into the factories' turbines. The turbines were connected to factory machinery through a series of shafts, pulleys, and belts.

McCallum's plans called for a 24-unit condominium development on the filled-in canal site and adjoining land at the end of Canal Street. But if the zone is changed to R-1, as proposed by the city, then only a couple of single-family homes could be built there.

We would like to thank everyone for their input this saturating weather forecast has brought on us. With the lack of tickets purchases (due to weather), the most appropriate decision is to reschedule the FOTHR 2008 Bluefish tournament to Saturday October 4th. All entry tickets are still valid and the purchase of tickets is extended to the new date.

In addition to last year, there will be a food and beverages available for the tournament, so please stop by for the awards/food/drinks/ and conversation with friends at the Ayer's Landing tent. A small donation supporting FOTHR will be appreciated.

Also, please use the live update line 203-278-3320 and http://fothr.org for any informational updates.

Entry fee: $20 - Open to the public (includes a FOTHR Sticker)

Prizes: 1st = $400, 2nd = $200, 3rd = $100 and 6 other prizes

LIVE weigh station updates at least every hour
203-278-3320

Download and post the flyer

or see Charlie Schnautz at Ayer's Landing Marina.

All proceeds support FOTHR 

Rules and Regulations 2008

By Patricia Villers , Register Staff SHELTON - Read more

A last minute notice from the DEP pertaining to a meeting about the rebuilding of the 95 Housatonic Bridge is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at Flood Middle School in Stratford.

Items discussed will be the closing of the Housatonic 95 boat ramp, re-routing of all boat traffic, and any other items you attending bring out. All those interested and concern please attend.

Joe and I took our dink out yesterday October 15. Billions of zebra mussels. They have arrived in the Housatonic River. They have pitted the hard bottom and the rubber. Anyone have any ideas how to get them off without ruining the rubber?